Flyers-Kings thoughts: A look at the ties, possible lineup decisions

Jordan Hall | NBC Sports Philadelphia

5 months ago

Flyers (1-0-0) at Kings (0-0-0)10 p.m. on NBCSP, NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports App; Pregame Live at 9:30

The Flyers crashed one home opener already. They'll try to do it again Thursday night when they continue their season-opening four-game road trip with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings at the STAPLES Center.

A Wayne Simmonds hat trick led the Flyers to a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks Wednesday night, giving San Jose its first loss in a season opener since 2009-10 (see story).

Like last season, the Kings host the Flyers to open their home slate.

Let's get you set for puck drop with some thoughts on Game 2 of the season.

• The Flyers face an old friend here. John Stevens enters his first year as head coach of the Kings. The last time he served as a full-time NHL bench boss was with the Flyers for parts of four seasons from 2006-10 (see story). He went 120-109-34 over that span, leading the Flyers to two playoff appearances before being fired in December 2009, during the season in which Peter Laviolette took over and rallied the club to the Stanley Cup Final.

• The Flyers, of course, have plenty of other ties with the Kings. General manager Ron Hextall served Los Angeles as assistant GM the year it won the Stanley Cup in 2012. Dean Lombardi, now with the Flyers in a role not yet announced, was the GM of that club. Lombardi, who was a scout for the Flyers from 2003 to 2006, was fired by the Kings back in April.

And, of course, we all know how Jeff Carter relates to the Flyers. After leading the team with 36 goals in 2010-11, Carter was traded to the Blue Jackets for Jakub Voracek, a 2011 first-round pick the Flyers used on Sean Couturier and a 2011 third-round selection on Nick Cousins. In February 2012, Carter was shipped to Los Angeles, where he's won two Stanley Cups. Last season, he put up his best numbers (32 goals, 66 points) since that 2010-11 campaign in Philadelphia.

Also, Kings assistant coach Don Nachbaur was on the Phantoms' staff under Stevens in the early 2000s. He played for the Flyers, as well, from 1985 to 1990.

• Now to the game. How fun is it to watch Simmonds? He is so proficient at playing in front of the net, and doing so requires serious skill. The hand-eye coordination on his deflection goal — the second marker of his hat-trick performance Wednesday — is a strength he's developed, becoming one of the NHL's best at parking in front of the goalie and doing damage.

No surprise he's off to a hot start again. If you recall, Simmonds began last season with four markers in five games. Tonight, he's in an area he knows well, facing his old team and playing where he won the 2017 NHL All-Star Game MVP.

• Playing the second game of a back-to-back set, the Flyers did not hold a morning skate, so line combinations, defensive pairings and the starting goalie are all uncertain. But one thing we've learned with head coach Dave Hakstol is that he likes to roll with what's working. Given the Flyers are coming off a positive and productive season opener, changes seem unlikely — so if you want defensemen Brandon Manning and Andrew MacDonald out of the lineup, don't expect it.

An interesting decision comes in net. Brian Elliott received the nod Wednesday and wasn't lights out, but stood strong late and saved 32 of 35 shots faced for his first win in a Flyers jersey. However, Elliott was not great against the Kings last season, going 2-2-0 with a 2.98 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. Neuvirth, on the other hand, was excellent against Los Angeles last season, winning the season opener while putting up a 1.47 GAA and .943 save percentage in two matchups.

• The Flyers' power play had great life Wednesday, needing just 1:09 man-advantage time to score three goals and eventually finish 3 for 5. Things won't be easy tonight as the Kings delivered an 84.5 penalty-kill percentage in 2016-17, fifth best in the league.

• There's a stud defenseman in this one and another up-and-coming on the other side. For Los Angeles, Drew Doughty, 27, is one of the best at his position, while Ivan Provorov is a burgeoning blueliner that is already eating up ice time for the Flyers at only 20 years old. Oh, and Shayne Gostisbehere isn't too shabby. He collected three assists in the season opener.

• The Flyers have won nine of their last 12 road games against the Kings. They have not won their first two games of a regular season since 2011-12. Meanwhile, Los Angeles hasn't won a season opener since 2013-14.